Thursday, September 29, 2011

Sneak Peek: New Series


Hello folks!! I wanted to take a quick break from my virtual drawing board and give you a sneak peek at my latest design project. I am creating a new collection of vintage cottage-themed illustrations that will be part of the work I will be bringing to the Craft & Hobby Association 2012 Winter Conference in January! Did I previously mention that I am going to exhibit at that show? Anyways, I am (in the Licensing and Design section), and I am so excited/nervous/crazy about it all. But I always feel good when I get into the groove with a new set of designs, because then the work flows much more freely. Now that I have this design done, the others in the series should roll out a bit quicker because I have figured out all the basic layout questions, style decisions, color palettes, themes, etc...

But, there is SO much more to do than just design new work and revamp existing work - there are press kits to design and prepare, a booth to design and create, marketing materials to finalize and print, and the list goes on and on...mercy!!

I'll be sharing more and more about my preparations for the show as I go along. Since this is my first time to exhibit, I hope to be able to take my experiences and help future new exhibitors to avoid the mistakes I am sure to make and to be encouraged by the wonderful things I am sure to see and learn. I hope you'll follow along the journey with me!

We'll talk again soon! Have a fabulous day and a fun weekend upcoming! HUGS y'all!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Wildfire Aftermath

I finally took the time to download and process all my photos from the wildfire and its aftermath here in the Magnolia, Texas area, so I thought I would tell the story through pictures...

The following photo if from my front porch facing East. It was about 3:15 in the afternoon on Labor Day and I had looked out of the window in our home office and noticed the dark black "clouds" near the horizon, and I thought, "it's not supposed to rain today, what are those clouds?" But in a split-second after I had that thought, I realized that those were not clouds - that was smoke - thick black and brown smoke! (the photos don't do it justice -the second photo captures the blackness at the horizon a bit better)



Well as you can see, the fire appeared to be fairly close by, and it wasn't just a small brush fire. About this time the police drove through our neighborhood informing us that we needed to evacuate. Within ten minutes, my husband and I and our dog Maddie were in two vehicles, carrying as much as we could think to grab from the house. It would be six long days before we were able to return, not sure what we would return to...

As I explained in a previous post, our entire neighborhood, with the exception of one house was spared from the fire damage. Strong NE winds blew the worst of the fire South and West of us on that first day, and the firefighters, who are true heroes, made fire breaks and managed to keep the fire from reentering our neighborhood! However, the fire went on to do incredible damage not far from us - 75 people lost their homes and the pretty countryside here is marred where huge swaths of pasture and forest lands were destroyed. Here are a few photos I took after we were allowed to return home. All of these photos are within a mile or two from our home, so it gives you a perspective of just how blessed we really are to come out with no damage...

Burned pastureland...

Charred underbrush...


Melted resin fence...



Torched trees and shrubs...



Destroyed abandoned brick house...

I am still amazed that we were spared...thank you Lord!

A few days after we returned, we got a heaven-sent blessing...RAIN! (though it was only a shower here)...this is our front porch...
(thanks for all your prayers for rain!)

But you can see beyond the fence that the drought has really taken its toll on our area. Here's a closeup of what the "grass" looks like in our yard and all around the region...

Those leaves are not Fall leaves, they are dead Summer leaves that have simply fallen from our trees from the drought. So, we are still in dire need of extended periods of measurable rain...
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OK, enough about fires and drought! It's the first official day of Fall! I love this time of year!

And I am happy about all the good things coming up! If you don't see me around here very often or if I'm slow in visiting your blogs, it's just because I am very busy with a number of projects that I am very excited about! More about all the upcoming goodies very soon I promise! Oh, and I've managed to do some fun thrifting and I've found some awesome stuff...photos coming!

Have a blessed weekend friends and thank you sincerely for checking in on me from time to time!
We'll talk again soon!


Thursday, September 15, 2011

"The Cat's Pajamas" are in the Shop!


I've been working to complete a new product set in my Just Bee 'n Me online shop, and it's all ready! It's called "The Cat's Pajamas" and it has lots of fun products to help you throw an amazing slumber party! From coordinating flip-flops
 ...and pajamas...


...and matching pins for favors...
There's even a large wall-cling sign with the Cat's Pajamas design for decorating!

These products would also be great for the the cat lover in your life - there's lot's of sweet kitty-goodness to go around!

All of these new products also coordinate with my Cat's Pajamas digital clip art kit too...

 That kit could provide even more slumber party fun for craft projects, favors, decorations, plus all you need to scrap about the party after it's done!
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I'm still creating more new products non-stop, so please stay tuned! Next up, a line of cute Fall products for kids and adults, everything from t-shirts to notecards to art journals! Can't wait to show you!!

Now, I gotta get back to work... Thanks again for all your prayers and well wishes during our flight from the wildfire. We are so very grateful! HUGS to all!!

"I thank my God every time I remember you." 
Philippians 1:3


Sunday, September 11, 2011

Home Again - and Grateful


I am happy to report that we are home again - safe and sound! Though 22,000 acres have burned all around us, our neighborhood of 70 homes, with the exception of one, was spared. It was amazing to drive in late last night after the evacuation notice was lifted and see that not only were we spared, it's as if nothing had ever happened. Our house didn't even smell of smoke! 

I am just so very grateful for all the prayers prayed by family, friends, and strangers, all the sacrifice and hard work of first responders, all the generosity and kindness of neighbors, all the hospitality and care of my parents, and the all the goodness and grace of our Father God! May God shed His grace on thee! 

Blessings to you and yours and to this great land of ours on this day of 9/11 remembrance..it will now and forever have an additional significance for me. May I never take for grated the incredible blessings we have and the love that has been shown to us by so many. And may our prayers continue to be with those who lost so much 10 years ago on this infamous day, and with those around here today who are without a home....may God bless them all and bring them comfort...


Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Wildfire!

Viewer photo from iwitness.abc13.com - taken about 1/2 mile from our home 9/5/11

Hello friends. I wanted to let you know what's happening in our little corner of the world. We were evacuated from our Lake Holly Hills neighborhood near Magnolia, TX Monday yesterday afternoon as a large wildfire threatened our area. We had about 10 minutes to evacuate and we grabbed as many things as we could think of and got out. Hubby, our dog Maddie and I headed to my Mom's house about 30 miles away and we are safe and sound. The fire is still burning over several thousand acres and our neighborhood and many others are still under mandatory evacuation orders, so there is no going in to check on things at this time... 

SO, we wait and pray. And we know God is in control...

Ours is just one of over 63 wildfires raging in Texas right now. The massive wildfire near Austin (about 150 miles from here) has already burned 500 homes and it is not contained. The severe drought here coupled with high winds has made all of Texas one huge tinderbox. We would appreciate your prayers for our region...

I will keep you updated as often as I have news...Hugs to you all!